WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In an interview Wednesday with CNN's Larry King, Defense
Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld revealed his plans to take the smallpox
vaccine, which can carry severe side effects, including death.

"I certainly intend to, simply because it's hard to ask people to do
something that you're not willing to do yourself," Rumsfeld said, responding
to a question posed by King.

President Bush has said he, too, will take the vaccine after ordering
vaccinations for some military personnel. The vaccine will be administered
to about 500,000 troops deployed in high-risk parts of the world under the
first phase of the vaccination plan. The inoculations began this month,
according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The Defense Department said vaccinations will be mandatory except for those
who have medical exemptions.

Because about half of U.S. residents have never been vaccinated and those
who were vaccinated are believed to have limited, if any, immunity, the
country is considered by some to be especially vulnerable to a biological
attack. It is feared that Iraq might have smallpox that could be used for
weapons.

Rumsfeld's interview with King was broadcast 9 p.m. EST Wednesday on CNN.